Of the 58 counties in California, Sacramento County has the sixth-highest jail population. The Vera Institute of Justice reports that nearly 70% of those in local county jails haven’t been convicted of any crimes yet, but many aren’t able to get out of jail simply because they can’t secure bail bonds in Sacramento, CA.
Do you have a loved one who was just sent to jail in Sacramento? You might wonder, “How long do you stay in jail if you can’t make bail?” while considering whether to start the bail process.
See how much jail time a person might face if they can’t make bail in Sacramento below.
How Long Do You Stay in Jail If You Can’t Make Bail?
If a person can’t make bail in Sacramento, they must remain in jail until their case eventually goes to trial. The so-called “pretrial detention” period — the time between when a person is arrested and their case reaches a courtroom for a trial — can take anywhere from several weeks to several years.
The length of a person’s “pretrial detention” period will depend on:
-
The severity of the crime they allegedly committed
-
The Superior Court of California, County of Sacramento’s schedule
-
The willingness of a person to accept a plea deal
There’s no definitive answer to the question, “How long do you stay in jail if you can’t make bail in Sacramento?” It all depends on the circumstances surrounding a case.
How Much Is Bail If You’re Arrested in Sacramento?
Some people don’t have any trouble making bail after getting arrested in Sacramento. If, for example, they’re arrested for a minor misdemeanor crime, such as shoplifting, a judge will typically set their bail at just a few hundred dollars.
Other people have next to no chance of making bail after getting arrested in Sacramento. One man arrested on sexual assault charges in early 2024 had his bail set at $1 million.
After getting arrested in Sacramento, people attend bail hearings to have judges determine their bail amounts. They’re based on:
-
The seriousness of the crime a person allegedly committed
-
A person’s prior criminal history
-
Whether or not a person is a potential flight risk
There is, however, a chance that a person can get their bail amount reduced by hiring the right legal representation. An experienced lawyer can create a compelling argument against a judge’s decision while seeking a bail reduction for their client and negotiate fair release conditions.
How Can You Arrange To Make Bail After Getting Arrested in Sacramento?
If a person has enough cash to make bail after getting arrested in Sacramento, they won’t have to wonder, “How long do you stay in jail if you can’t make bail?” They can arrange to make bail on their own and not have to spend another second in jail.
If this isn’t an option, though, a person can also consider taking one of these steps:
-
Asking family members and/or friends for financial assistance
-
Offering to put up physical assets as collateral
-
Contacting an organization that specializes in helping people make bail
Additionally, they can look into the possibility of securing a bail bond. In this case, a person who has been arrested in Sacramento will pay a bail bondsman a fee — in California, this fee is capped at 10% of the original bail amount — in exchange for a bail bondsman posting their bail to spring them from a county jail.
If a person chooses this option to avoid having to find out the answer to the question, “How long do you stay in jail if you can’t make bail?” firsthand, they’ll just need to ensure they’re prepared to attend all their subsequent court hearings. Missing even one hearing could result in a bail bondsman tracking them down and sending them back to jail.
Need a Bail Bond in Sacramento? Call Eight Ball Bail Bonds Today
“How long do you stay in jail if you can’t make bail in Sacramento?” is a question you don’t want to learn the answer to the hard way. Let Eight Ball Bail Bonds help you or a loved one get out of jail fast following a bail hearing. Call us at (916) 842-3880 to learn more about our bail process and financing options.